2012 Golden Heart Honoree - Dr. Mark Dedomenico
We are pleased to announce that our 2012 Golden Heart Honoree will be Dr. Mark Dedomenico. This award honors an individual who has made significant contributions to the advancement of cardiovascular disease, treatment, research or prevention and Dr. Dedomenico has done just that. Dr. Dedomenico played a key role in developing the procedure known as Coronary Bypass Surgery along with Dr. Lester Sauvage. Working together as two of the initial founders of the Hope Heart Institute, they also created significant developments in heart surgery. These include the creation of the artificial heart valves and Bionit arterial grafts used to replace damaged or atherosclerotic arteries. Dr. Dedomenico has since then created 20/20 Lifestyles, a program devoted to the treatment of early stage metabolic disease to prevent individuals from later needing cardiovascular surgery or medications to control hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes. Dr. Dedomenico presently is researching osteoarthritis, cartilage healing, tendon and suspensory healing through the use of platelet rich plasma and stem cells with early stress-exercise.